by Sarah Onyango
Once again, elite East African athletes were the talk of Ottawa Race Weekend 2015 with their outstanding performances. In the 10k race, the Kenyan men and women made their country proud with a near sweep of both podiums! On May 23rd, for the second consecutive year in the 10 km event at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, a Kenyan woman was the first to cross the finish line and go on to break the course record.
Thirty-two year-old Gladys Cherono’s time of 30 minutes 56 seconds was 25 seconds faster last year’s course record set by fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany. She also beat her personal best time of 30 minutes, 57 seconds set in 2012. Second place finisher was Peres Jepchirchir, 21, also of Kenya, whose time of 31 minutes 18 seconds was enough to keep her ahead of the first male to reach the finish line. Jepchirchir also beat her personal best time of 31 minutes 34 seconds. Rounding out the top three women was Canadian Lanni Marchant, 31, with a time of 31 minutes 49 seconds.
Kenyan Nicholas Bor, 28, was the first man to finish with a time of 27 minutes 55 seconds.He was followed by two fellow Kenyans: Simon Cheprot, 25, with a time of 27 minutes 57 seconds; and David Kogei, 30, who ran in at 28 minutes 16 seconds.
Kenyan Nicholas Bor, 28, was the first man to finish with a time of 27 minutes 55 seconds.He was followed by two fellow Kenyans: Simon Cheprot, 25, with a time of 27 minutes 57 seconds; and David Kogei, 30, who ran in at 28 minutes 16 seconds.
In the marathon, however, it was all about the Ethiopians! Leading a field of nearly 6,000 participants, these elite athletes once again took top prizes in the 41st running of the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon on May 24th. Girmay Birhanu, 28, finished with a time of 2:08:14 – a solid race but not enough to topple the Ottawa 2:06:54 record set last year. He was followed by Kenyan Philip Kangogo, 31, with a time of 2:09:56; and Ethiopian Chele Dechasa, 30, with 2:09:59.
Aberu Zennebe, 31, won the women’s category in 2:25:30 with a sprint to the finish line. Zennebe was followed closely by Kenyan Rebecca Chesir, 22, at 2:25:41; and Ethiopian Abebech Aferork, 24, at 2:25:53.
The Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon holds an International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Silver label designation. It is the only silver label marathon event in Canada.
Source: Runottawa.ca
Photo credits: Sarah Onyango & Seyi Okuribo-Malcolm